Best Tent Camping near Mcdowell, VA

Recent Tent Reviews in Mcdowell

744 Reviews of 31 Mcdowell Campgrounds

• 

  Wayne T.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 19, 2024

  Devil’s Backbone Camp

  Best primitive sites! Such a nice campground!

  This was such a awesome campground!! First time ever staying and everybody was so helpful and friendly. He had the camp host come and check on us to see how things were. We stayed at the group 105 site and could not have been happier with that pick. It was off all by itself with the other 4 group primitive sites. Sites were huge and you could arrange and set up however you liked. Really loved that having 2 vehicles and 3 tents we had so much room. Loved the bathhouse being close too. Just a quick little walk/or drive around the corner the showers and stalls were so clean as well. Fire ring was huge too and they have wood on site. We even checked out the restaurant and bar/brewery on site. Everything looked so cool loved the way everything was set up. We will 100% be coming back and do the group site again. ur original plans of going off into the national forest and dispersed camping got canceled so we hated we couldn't do that. But this site the way they are set up really makes you feel like you are still out there disperse camping but with the luxury of a campground being so close. Loved it so much!

• T

  Timothy B.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 5, 2024

  Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

  Nice family environment

  This place has tons of activities for kids and teens. This place has a family feel to it.

• S

  Sarah C.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 30, 2024

  Rivers Edge Campground

  Lovely little spot

  Family camping trip and we tagged along in our tent. We’ve been priced out of our area so pleased to find this hidden gem. A small, comfortable, family run campground that has enough amenities to keep the littles entertained and adults relaxing. We stayed in the tent area, which we had all to ourselves. Our site was on the river and able to pull our motorcycles right up. I do think if the tent area is full it will feel crowded. There’s a small bathroom attached to back of camp store nearby. Then the larger bathhouse down the way. The RV sites were flat, clean, in an open area. We will, for sure, be back.

• 

  SJ W.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 29, 2024

  Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite

  Very long road to get there

  Went in August and it was very buggy, also had someone park pretty close which when I drive down a really long dirt road that is questionable for my van, i want it to be private and this was about 5 miles of dirt road to get to it.

• N

  Nancy P.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 26, 2024

  Oronoco Campground

  Great FREE disperse campground with bathroom

  I love this campground, it’s 5 to 10 minutes from BV, right on the river, primitive with bathrooms, which is fine with me, I sleep in my forerunner with my two dogs, plenty of land and trails, it’s perfect for what I need👍

• N

  Nancy P.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 26, 2024

  Oronoco Campground

  Great primitive campsite with restrooms

  Less than 10 campsites, all with fire circles and a public bathroom site. each campsite is on the river, very beautiful.

• W

  Wessel D.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Oronoco Campground

  Great!

  Loved this little campground. Nice and quiet, toilets available (though not very clean but good enough). Only thing is that there’s a dog, we think from a property nearby, that acts aggressive towards campers. Luckily it went home around 18h, so we had a great night, but it was back the next morning and immediately had aggressive behavior. So watch out and be careful with your food!

• 

  nancy B.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 10, 2024

  Waynesboro North 340 Campground

  Aftermath of the hurricane

  My Rv sustained damage from a tree. The staff were awesome but the owner wasn’t. She wouldn’t even acknowledge me or say how sorry she was. Then she had me assigned to the worst site in the park. I have never been treated so terribly. She was only interested in her revenue and not the people.

• H

  Harold H.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 28, 2024

  Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

  Natural Bridge KOA

  Staff were friendly campground was nice with shade pull throughs and fairly level.

• 

  Tiel M.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 23, 2024

  Morris Hill Campground

  Decent, nice hosts

  Nothing to write home about but it’s pretty. There’s a road that runs right in front that has some noise. Not all that different from most national forests, which isn’t bad.

• C

  Chalang R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 16, 2024

  Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

  Amazing

  Pretty much what a campground should be. Absolutely 0 service. No place to get ice if you’re out. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.

• C

  Chalang R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 16, 2024

  Hone Quarry

  Great for mid week

  If you live in Harrisonburg, Bridgwater and any surrounding area, this place is amazing. Fair warning, this place is DARK DARK, but your campers, so. The campsites are clean, $5 a night will get you a place to stay. Payment box upfront. There’s a pond up the road to fish.

• C

  Chalang R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 16, 2024

  Eagle Rock Campground

  Great for a night

  Was coming back from fishing and need a place to sleep without paying for a hotel. Great place honestly. I don’t really have anything negative to say about it. At $10 and fishing, I’ll definitely be back.

• W

  Waseem H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2024

  Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

  Beautiful views

  Very quiet, beautiful views, amazing drive from VA. Multiple campsites and they all have beautiful views. I have T-Mobile and had signal only by the first campsite for some reason. I had no signal for almost two hours heading towards VA.

• W

  Waseem H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2024

  Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

  Quiet peaceful place

  I didn’t find and good spots, but it was quiet and peaceful. I drove from there to flag pole. The trail was really fun and moderately difficult.

• B

  Bobby B.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 2, 2024

  Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages

  Beautiful Resort

  The resort is beautiful. Pulling up and checking in, a host takes you to your site. Sites are spacious and there's lots to do! We loved our site because we are the only one on the right side of the hill. I did not get any info email though which I had to contact about. Other than that, everything was great. Drove around the campground to see which other sites I would like to try and get! I def would return.

• M

  Marty T.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 21, 2024

  Bennie’s Beach Campground

  Cool spot by the creek

  Bennies has a cool spot by the creek for tent camping.  I was the only one there - after having driven through the aging RV neighborhood.  Check-in was mystical, but finally reached the groundskeeper by phone and left money in a mailbox.  "$40 cash money..."  Way overpriced considering the unsanitary (gross) showers and restrooms.  I think I felt cleaner before the shower.  If you don't need a shower and don't mind dropping $40 for a place to pitch your tent then Bennies may be for you.

• J

  Julie

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 15, 2024

  Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park

  Nice and quiet

  I liked this campground -- most RV sites have electric, and water fill stations are easily accessible.  Sites weren't too close together, and they were clean and well kept.  Staff was also quite friendly and available.  Note:  It's in a valley, so there's no cell service.  The wash houses have wi-fi, but it's not great and you have to be either in the building or sitting at the bench outside to use it.

• S

  Sarah C.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 24, 2024

  Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area

  Drive on up to site!

  Clean, comfortable campground with spacious sites. Some of the sites are very private, others are a little less. Some have bear boxes and some are a lot closer to bath house than others. There is a large overflow lot available and set up for campers. However, we went on a Monday night and only shared the campground with 4 other groups of campers. Hosts are on site and both friendly and informative. Hiking trails nearby and some start at campground. Lake is low but still good for swimming or floating. We had a very peaceful night, even with the rain. Recommend!

• 

  Jeff E.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 16, 2024

  Beaver Creek Campground — Watoga State Park

  Great camping

  I’ve stayed here at least a dozen times over the years. Nice sites for tent camping. Clear skies and a decent bathhouse.

• N

  Nick A.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 12, 2024

  Devil’s Backbone Camp

  Robbery

  $150 per night is crazy. Nothing special about the campground except proximity to devils backbone. This is a parking spot in a field with no trees and the sewer likely on the wrong side. There are no amenities. We’ve stayed many times but plan to go elsewhere going forward.

• 

  Jeremiah S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 8, 2024

  Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA

  KOA Newbie

  This was our first KOA experience. I liked the pool, camp shop, and proximity to Massanutten water park. I also liked the size of site.

  My wife didn’t care for the lack of grass (mostly gravel) or the guy who took us to site that worked there talking over her when she was helping me back in.

  Most people know this but if a couple is backing in just let them figure it out.

  Other than price and backing in annoyance, I thought it was good place and would go back.

• 

  Trisha G.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 4, 2024

  Eagle Rock Campground

  ♥️

  We have been coming to Eagle Rock for years. Most of the people change every year but there are some that have permanent campers here. A few rude people this year but we still enjoyed our time. It doesn’t have all the amenities that some would want. If you enjoy roughing it then ER is worth camping at.

• 

  Chaz M.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 1, 2024

  Misty Mountain Camp Resort

  Fun for the family

  This campground was really great for a family with small children. There were events the entire time we were there and the staff were awesome. The only detractors were that our site (52) was tiny so it was a tad stressful having kids running around right beside the road, the smell of weed that was prevalent (not the campground’s fault) and the motorcycle noise from the nearby interstate.

• G

  Gabe

  Guide

  

  Jun. 7, 2024

  Shenandoah Valley Campground

  Nice place to stay

  We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly. Very nice campground ammenities- stocked fishing pond, big swimming pool, and really nice creek for tubing with waterfall to cool down on the hotter days, horseshoes, mini golf and more. The biggest negative is lack of cell service/internet. Luckily it's a short drive to get service. Weekends were packed(esp. Memorial Day), but much quieter during the week. Many sites are tight and no walking paths between rows so people regularly walk through occupied sites when it's crowded. Smaller negatives- some washer/dryers out of order and litter left by campers wasn't picked up. Overall, a nice place to stay.

• 

  Sumner C.

  Guide

  

  May. 27, 2024

  Bennie’s Beach Campground

  Amazing spot on north fork Shenandoah

  We were the only campers on a giant spot right on the river. The grounds are well maintained and stunning. Water is crystal clear and everyone is respectful

• 

  Danny M.

  Scout

  

  May. 25, 2024

  Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park

  Two night stay

  Large sites, clean bath house and showers. $52/ night with tax. 110/30 amp electric at site. No sewer,no water at site. Water available, sewer dump station available. Has sites along the river. Also there are two rental cabins down near the river.